Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHA1437158’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHA1437158’, particularly characterized by having large white flowers with a pure white and extra-large lip, flowers that are flat in lateral view, dorsal sepals with an incurving curvature of the longitudinal axis, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHA1437158’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of theOrchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafterreferred to by the variety name ‘PHA1437158’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objectiveof this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant withnumerous attractive large white flowers with a white and extra-largelip, suitable for potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHA1437158’ is a result of cross-pollinationmade by the inventor in September 2012 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, ofthe proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘01-4326’(unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsishybrid ‘PHALGOWIJ’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,300).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledgreenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in May 2015. Asexualreproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culturesince 2016 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the newvariety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for inthe European Union on Sep. 22, 2020 (Application no. 2020/2293), byApplicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from theinventor. ‘PHA1437158’ has not been made publicly available or soldanywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of thisapplication with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year orless before the effective filing date of this claimed invention byApplicant who obtained ‘PHA1437158’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be usedto distinguish ‘PHA1437158’ as a new and distinct variety ofPhalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1) Large white flowers with a white and extra-large lip;    -   2) Lip is pure white;    -   3) Flower shape in lateral view is flat; and    -   4) Curvature of longitudinal axis of dorsal sepal is incurving.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, buds,and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can bereasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Thephotographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands,from 50-week-old plants in May 2021. Colors in the photographs maydiffer from the color values cited in the detailed botanicaldescription, which accurately describe the actual colors of the newvariety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds, andfoliage of ‘PHA1437158’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHA1437158’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHA1437158’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘PHA1437158’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotypemay vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature,light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance ingenotype. The chart used in the identification of colors describedherein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms ofordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, theNetherlands. Observations and measurements were made in May 2021 onflowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots.After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grownin a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by acooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in agreenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeterpots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.        -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.        -   Common name.—Moth orchid.        -   Variety name.—‘PHA1437158’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-4326’ (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘PHALGOWIJ’ (U.S. Plant            Pat. No. 30,300).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture.-   Roots:    -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (a color in between RHS 190B            and RHS 190C) colored roots with branching lateral roots            having yellow-green (RHS 145A) colored root tips.-   Plant:    -   -   Crop time to flowering.—Following asexual propagation (in            vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24 weeks. After            transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are finished            after 48 to 50 weeks.        -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent            with raceme and panicle inflorescence.        -   Height (from soil level to top of            inflorescence).—Approximately 59.0 cm to 64.0 cm.        -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 37.0 cm to 40.0 cm.        -   Vigor.—Moderate.-   Leaves:    -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 6 to 8 leaves are            produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 21.0 cm            to 24.0 cm. Width: 6.5 cm to 7.5 cm. Shape: Obovate. Base            shape: Moderately to very elongated. Apex: Acute unequal.            Leaf blade angle with the petiole (measured from the            horizontal position): Between 15 degrees and 30 degrees.            Leaf margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower            surface: RHS 146B. Texture (both upper and lower surfaces):            Smooth. Thickness: 2.1 mm to 2.4 mm. Variegation: Absent.            Venation: Pattern: Parallel. Color of the midvein: Upper            surface: RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS 146B.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 2.        -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—6 to 8.        -   Length.—59.0 cm to 64.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—6.0 mm to 7.0 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Yellow-green (a color in between RHS 144A and RHS            146B).        -   Internode length.—3.0 cm to 4.0 cm.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, raceme and panicle            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 2.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 270.0 mm to            290.0 mm.        -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11            months after planting in a 12-cm pot.        -   Flower.—Height: 98.0 mm to 103.0 mm. Diameter: 105.0 mm to            110.0 mm. Depth of lip: About 3.0 mm.        -   Flower shape.—Flat.        -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 20 to 22 weeks.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Flower bud.—Average size: Medium to large. Length: 23.0 mm            to 25.0 mm. Width: 18.0 mm to 20.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped.            Color: Yellow-green (a color in between RHS 144C and RHS            N144D).        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:            Slightly emarginated asymmetric. Margin: Moderately            undulated. Length (from base to tip): 47.0 mm to 49.0 mm.            Width: 66.0 mm to 68.0 mm. Position of the broadest part of            the petal: At the base. Color (when fully opened): Upper            surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color:            Absent. Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over            color: Absent. Number of spots and stripes on the petals            (upper surface): None. Color of spots and stripes on the            petals (upper surface): Not applicable. Density of netting            of the petals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting            (upper surface): Not applicable.        -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Obtuse symmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 52.0 mm to            54.0 mm. Width: 33.0 mm to 35.0 mm. Color (when fully            opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C).            Over color: Absent. Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS            NN155C). Over color: Light yellow-green (RHS 145D). Number            of spots and stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper surface):            None. Color of spots and stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper            surface): Not applicable. Density of netting of the dorsal            sepals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting (upper            surface): Not applicable.        -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 52.0 mm to            54.0 mm. Width: 30.0 mm to 32.0 mm. Color (when fully            opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C).            Over color: Absent. Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS            NN155C). Over color: Light yellow-green (RHS 145C). Number            of spots and stripes on the lateral sepals (upper surface):            None. Color of spots and stripes on the lateral sepals            (upper surface): Not applicable. Density of netting of the            lateral sepals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting            (upper surface): Not applicable.        -   Labellum (lip).—Overall shape: 3-lobed with callus at            central junction of the lateral lobes and base of apical            lobe. The apical lobe is terminated by 2 whiskers. Lateral            lobes and apical lobe are connected.        -   Lateral lobe.—Margin: Moderately undulated. Length: 27.0 mm            to 29.0 mm. Width: 23.0 mm to 25.0 mm. Color: Upper surface:            White (RHS NN155C) with a touch of light yellow-green (RHS            145C); few purplish-pink spots (RHS N78C) and light            reddish-purple stripes (RHS N78D) at the base Lower surface:            White (RHS NN155C). Number of spots and stripes on the            lateral lobe (upper surface): Few spots; few stripes at the            base. Color of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe (upper            surface): Spots (RHS N78C); stripes (RHS N78D). Density of            netting of the lateral lobe (upper surface): None. Color of            the netting (upper surface): Not applicable.        -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Triangular. Margin: Entire. Length: 24.0            mm to 26.0 mm. Width: 28.0 mm to 30.0 mm. Color: Upper            surface: White (RHS NN155C). Lower surface: White (RHS            NN155C). Number of spots and stripes on the apical lobe            (upper surface): None. Color of spots and stripes on the            apical lobe (upper surface): Not applicable. Density of            netting of the apical lobe (upper surface): None. Color of            the netting (upper surface): Not applicable. Whiskers:            Present. Length of whiskers: 16.0 mm to 18.0 mm. Color of            whiskers: White (RHS NN155C). Pubescence on the lip: Absent.        -   Callus.—Average size: Large. Height: 9.0 mm to 10.0 mm.            Length: 7.0 mm to 8.0 mm. Width: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Color:            Light yellow-green (RHS 157B) at the base and yellow-green            (RHS 154C) on sides; dotted (RHS 72A).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Column.—Length: 8.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Diameter: 5.0 mm to            6.0 mm. Color: White (RHS NN155C).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.9 mm to 1.1 mm. Color:            Orange (RHS 25A).        -   Ovary.—Length: 18.0 mm to 20.0 mm. Diameter: 2.8 mm to 3.2            mm.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 40.0 mm to 42.0 mm. Diameter: 3.4 mm to            3.7 mm. Color: Light yellow-green (RHS 145B) at the base;            lighter yellow-green (RHS 145D) toward flower.-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis to date.-   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on    plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHA1437158’ differs from the female parent plant ‘01-4326’ (unpatented)in that ‘PHA1437158’ has dorsal sepals with a light yellow-greenovercolor on the lower surface and lighter green (RHS 146A) leaves,whereas ‘01-4326’ has dorsal sepals with a light purple and lightyellow-green overcolor on the lower surface and darker green (RHS 147A)leaves.

‘PHA1437158’ differs from the male parent plant ‘PHALGOWIJ’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 30,300) in that ‘PHA1437158’ has apical lobes that are white atthe base and an extra-large lip type, whereas ‘PHALGOWIJ’ has apicallobes that are light yellow-green at the base and a normal lip type.Additionally, ‘PHA1437158’ has larger flowers than ‘PHALGOWIJ’.

‘PHA1437158’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named‘PHALGASEOT’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,212) and ‘PHALGRUSEI’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 33,146). ‘PHA1437158’ differs from the commercial variety‘PHALGASEOT’ in that ‘PHA1437158’ has obtuse dorsal sepal apexes,whereas ‘PHALGASEOT’ has slightly emarginated dorsal sepal apexes.Additionally, ‘PHA1437158’ has wider petals and longer whiskers than‘PHALGASEOT’.

‘PHA1437158’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALGRUSEI’ in that‘PHA1437158’ has obtuse dorsal sepal apexes and flowers with an evenpattern, whereas ‘PHALGRUSEI’ has slightly obtuse to rounded dorsalsepal apexes and flowers with a striped pattern. Additionally,‘PHA1437158’ has wider petals and longer whiskers than ‘PHALGRUSEI’.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named‘PHA1437158’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.